Reimagining education for transformation and social change: A case study of integrated learning at UCBC in the DRC

This article examines the case of integrated learning at the Christian Bilingual University of the Congo (UCBC) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A description of the integrated learning as an igniter of transformation in learners was obtained through the analysis of data collected from twelve alumni through semi-structured interviews. An explanation of how learners are impacted through integrated learning to serve as change agents in their communities also emerged from the data analysis. In fact, the curriculum at UCBC was described as having multiple components and dimensions. This curriculum equips learners with academic knowledge and skills, and it fosters character and servant leadership skills in them. The major components of the curriculum are the academic training, the special skills training, the work program, service-learning and community life, and its dimensions are affective, social and relational. Learning occurs in a family-like environment characterized by accessibility and free interactions between members of the campus community. The curriculum functions under an overall Christian worldview. As a result of the educational process they underwent students became role models and learning-teachers to their colleagues and community members.Key terms: Christian university, curriculum, integrated learning, servant leadership, transformation, triadic trainin

Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic profile of cervical cancer in Butembo/ North- Kivu, DRC

Background: Cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted cancer caused by oncogenic Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Aim: The study aimed to determine the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic profile of cervical cancer in Butembo. Method: This was a retrospective and descriptive study. Case records of patients managed for cervical cancer from January 2009 to December 2013 at Matanda and GRH Katwa, both located in Butembo, North-Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo were reviewed. Results: The incidence of cervical cancer in Butembo was 0.97% with a peak in 2011 (1.24% and 1.49%) and 2012 (1.24% and1.85%) at Katwa and Matanda hospitals. The mean age was 54 years with 23 and 85 years old as a minimum and maximum age. 73.41% of patients complained of genital bleeding on admission. Most of patients (56.96% and 30.38%) consulted lately in stages III and IV of FIGO classification. Most of complications (anemia, genital secondary infections and alteration of general state) occur in the FIGO stages III and IV. 49.37% benefited of chemotherapy, 11.40% of total hysterectomy, 16.46% of total hysterectomy and chemotherapy, 24.05% of palliative treatment and 1.26% of abstention after laparotomy. Conclusion: This study revealed a dramatic figure of cervical cancer in Butembo city. Effort should be made by the government and other health agencies to organize mass campaign to practice cervical screening as well as education on the various risk factors. Access to the vaccines (anti-HPV 16-18) and the precocious diagnosis should be ensured.Key words: Epidemiology, cervical cancer, HPV, FIGO stages, laparotomy, Cong

Defining integrated learning: perspectives from alumni of The Christian University in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

This article examines the various perspectives of alumni from the Christian Bilingual University of the Congo (UCBC) on the topic of integrated learning. In this article, both an understanding and a definition of the concept of integrated learning are achieved, by analysing data obtained from the twelve alumni. The tool used was semi-structured interviews. Five themes emerged as part of the definition of the concept. Firstly, integrated learning is a holistic education. Secondly, it is described as a complete education because it deals with all aspects of learners’ lives. Thirdly, integrated learning emphasises theory and practice and, fourthly, it prepares learners to be people of significance in their nation. Fifthly and lastly, it is a learner-centred process focused on building the inner person. These perspectives on integrated learning are judged to be important for Christian universities and higher education practitioners who are all invited to design ways of holistically involving learners in learning.https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.81.2.225

Environmental conservation through tree planting : the case of Nyakato, Mwanza

The Nyakato Tree Planting Project aims at addressing the deforestation problem facing Mwanza City. The deforestation problem has brought about undesirable consequences of soil erosion, soil infertility for peasant farmers around the city, formation of gullies, lack of tree shades and clean air, pollution, sedimentation and silting of the lake and drainage system in the City as a result of running water during rain seasons caused by minimal water percolation main reason been missing, tree and grass cover. Also health hazards caused by squatter dwellers on the hills whose human extreta is carried by running water down hills, into others homesteads and eventually into the lake causing water diseases, such as chlorella and diarrhea. Also spoiling the natural beauty of the City. Major causes of this problem are lack of awareness of importance of forestation, unplanned settlements caused by huge population influx to the City accompanied by inadequate allocation of residential plots, income poverty, forcing cutting trees for selling for firewood and charcoal and other social cultural reasons. The Nyakato Tree Planting Project operating in two wards is one of the few CBOs which has devoted to address the deforestation problem by doing the following interventions by awareness creation on the hazards caused by deforestation among the key Government and Religious Leaders and community at large. Also strengthening its capacity through human resource development and acquisition of tools and to expand tree planting interventions into other wards. (Author abstract)Bunduki, B. A. (2007). Environmental conservation through tree planting: the case of Nyakato, Mwanza. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduMaster of Science (M.S.)School of Community Economic Developmen

A phenomenological reflection on integrated learning at a Christian university for community transformation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This study investigated integrated learning at a Christian university, the Christian Bilingual University of the Congo (UCBC) with the view to improving higher education practice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which is tasked with addressing social problems. Higher education in the DRC is shaped by its colonial legacy and a teacher-centred approach focused on theory, typical of a banking-type learning and a lack of integration. These factors stifle critical thinking and initiative in students and prevent them from developing into service-oriented agents for change in their communities. The advent of Christian universities has heralded a quest for holistic training to foster character and produce civic-minded and service-oriented citizens. A qualitative study using a phenomenology as methodology investigated the lived experiences in integrated learning and service in the community of twelve purposefully selected UCBC alumni. Data was obtained through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Findings indicated that integrated learning is holistic education which engages mind, heart, soul and body; it combines practice and theory in training and prepares students to contribute to national welfare. It occurs in a multiple component and dimensional context and is characterized by learner-centeredness, active learning and constant interaction among the school community members. It is focused on the building of the inner person of the learner. Further, participants understood transformation as part of personal development, a lifelong process that moves a person to act differently in community after his personal assumptions have been deeply revised through his encounter with integrated learning. Its impact is character development as foundation for bold action in the community, the rediscovery of one’s identity, the development of servant leadership, team work and social networking and dependence on God. Findings revealed that transformed learners initiated a change of mentality and experienced culture conversion in their communities through confronting problems and modelling servanthood. It also established the enactment of integrated learning as a contributor to personal and community transformation as a result of students’ ‘echoed words’ and actions as learning-teachers. Based on the findings recommendations were made for the strengthening of integrated learning in Christian universities.Educational FoundationsD. Ed. (Philosophy of Education

Sustaining HESAWA in Mwanza region, Tanzania

The HESAWA (Health through Sanitation and Water) programme was implemented by the Government of Tanzania with financial support from Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency). It reached some 3,000,000 people in the Lake Zone between 1985 and 2002. Since 2002, the Tanzanian stakeholders strive to sustain and replicate the benefits of HESAWA without specific external support. This paper gives a picture of the situation in Mwanza Region 2002 - 2005. It suggests that the overall performance is largely in line with expectations, but with some interesting deviations such as the sustained commitment by most water user groups and regional and district administration. From this can be drawn some lessons for the future for the HESAWA stakeholders, and for other programmes planning for phasing out and sustainability. In particular, usefulness of careful institution building and human resources development at all levels

O direito à desconexão e o teletrabalho no sistema jurídico brasileiro : perspectivas de concretização

Orientador: Marco Aurélio Serau JúniorMonografia (graduação) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Jurídicas, Curso de Graduação em DireitoInclui referênciasResumo: O presente trabalho busca compreender como o direito à desconexão se comporta na ordem jurídica brasileira, especialmente a partir do recorte temático do teletrabalho. Ademais, diante das alterações legislativas promovidas em 2022 pela Lei nº 14.442, fez-se uma análise das perspectivas de concretização do direito à desconexão no teletrabalho, de modo a identificar se o ordenamento jurídico brasileiro é suficiente no amparo do direito à desconexão ou se haveria outras medidas de efetivação a serem tomadas. Foram, nesse sentido, analisados os conceitos de teletrabalho e direito à desconexão, buscando a relação entre ambos, bem como o reconhecimento das formas de efetivação desse direito na ordem constitucional-trabalhista.Abstract: The present work seeks to understand how the right to disconnection behaves in the Brazilian legal system, especially from the thematic perspective of teleworking. In addition, in view of the legislative changes promoted in 2022 by Law nº 14,442, an analysis was made of the prospects for implementing the right to disconnection in telework, in order to identify whether the Brazilian legal system is sufficient to support the right to disconnection or if there would be other enforcement measures to be taken. In that regard, the concepts of teleworking and the right to disconnection were analyzed, seeking the relationship between both, as well as the recognition of the ways of realizing this right in the constitutional-labor order

Prenatal natural history of isolated fetal mild bilateral pyelectasis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prenatal outcomes in a cohort of fetuses with mild bilateral pyelectasis and determine whether performing serial ultrasounds is a good follow-up strategy. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on 62 fetuses with mild bilateral pyelectasis. Fetal mild bilateral pyelectasis was considered when the renal pelvis measured (in millimeters) ≥5.0 to 10.0, ≥7.0 to 10.0, and ≥10.0 to 15 at ≤23 weeks 6 days, 24 to 31 weeks 6 days, and ≥32 weeks, respectively, with no uretero-calyceal dilatation. Ultrasounds were performed every 3 weeks to assess whether the mild bilateral pyelectasis regressed, remained unchanged (Group 1) or progressed (Group 2). RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 53 fetuses (85.4%), and progression was observed in 9 cases (Group 2, 14.6%). The initial renal pelvis diameter was significantly larger in fetuses with progression (p=0.028). Statistically significant differences in the renal pelvis diameter were also found at weeks 31 and 35 for both kidneys (

Diagnóstico pré-natal e evolução perinatal de 38 casos de hérnia diafragmática congênita: 8 anos de experiência de um serviço terciário brasileiro

PURPOSE: To evaluate the perinatal results for neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia diagnosed prenatally. METHOD: We reviewed data from 38 cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia diagnosed prenatally from January 1995 to December 2003 in the Fetal Medicine Unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, São Paulo University Medical School. The main data analyzed were gestational age at diagnosis, fetal karyotyping, side of diaphragmatic defect, presence of associated structural malformations, hepatic herniation, and severe mediastinal shift. Perinatal outcomes were obtained by reviewing hospital documents or by directly calling the patients' immediate relatives. RESULTS: Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 29 weeks (range, 16-37 weeks).Thirty (79%) cases had a left diaphragmatic defect and 8 (21%) had a right lesion. Associated structural malformations were observed in 21 (55%) cases, in which 12 fetuses had a normal karyotype and 9 had chromosomal abnormalities. Isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia was confirmed in 17 (45%) cases. The overall perinatal mortality rate was 92%. Rates of fetal deaths, early neonatal deaths, late neonatal deaths, and survival were 42%, 50%, 0%, and 8%, respectively, in cases with associated structural malformations but normal karyotyping; 56%, 44%, 0%, and 0% for cases with chromosomal abnormalities; and, 0%, 76%, 12%, and 12% in cases with isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The neonatal mortality rate was 89% in cases with isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia. CONCLUSION: Perinatal mortality was very high in prenatally diagnosed cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Earlier perinatal deaths are associated with the presence of other structural defects or chromosomal abnormalities. In cases of isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia, mortality is related to the presence of herniated liver, right-sided lesion, and major mediastinal shift.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados neonatais dos casos de hérnia diafragmática congênita com diagnóstico pré-natal. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: De janeiro de 1995 a dezembro de 2003 foram revisados os dados de 38 fetos com hérnia diafragmática diagnosticada durante o período pré-natal na Unidade de Medicina Fetal do Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Os dados pré-natais analisados foram: idade gestacional no diagnóstico, cariótipo fetal, lado da lesão, presença de malformação estrutural associada, herniação hepática e desvio garve de mediastino. Os dados perinatais foram avaliados consultando os prontuários médicos ou por contato telefônico. RESULTADOS: A idade gestacional média no diagnóstico foi de 29 semanas (16-37). Trinta (79%) casos apresentavam lesão à esquerda e 8 (21%) à direita. Malformações estruturais associadas foram observadas em 21 (55%) casos, dos quais 12 fetos apresentaram cariótipo normal, enquanto 9 exibiram anomalias cromossômicas. Hérnia diafragmática isolada foi identificada em 17 (457%) casos. A taxa de mortalidade geral foi de 92%. A taxa de óbito fetal, neomorto precoce, neomorto tardio e sobrevivente após 28 dias de vida foram respectivamente: (i) para o grupo com malformação estrutural associada e cariótipo normal, de 42%, 50%, 0% e 8%; (ii) para os casos com cromossomopatia, de 56%, 44%, 0% e 0%; (iii) para os casos com lesões isoladas de 0%, 76%, 12% e 12%. Na hérnia diafragmática congênita isolada, a mortalidade neonatal foi de 88%. CONCLUSÃO: Em nosso serviço, a mortalidade perinatal nos casos de hérnia diafragmática diagnosticada durante o pré-natal é muito alta. Óbitos neonatais precoces estão associados com presença de outros defeitos estruturais ou anomalias cromossômicas. Nos casos de HDC isolada, a mortalidade está relacionada à presença de fígado herniado, lado direito da lesão e desvio grave de mediastino